CAIRNS - EAST COAST & THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK SPECTACULAR SHOW

16 DAYS DEPARTING SUNDAY 23RD JUNE TO MONDAY 8TH JULY 2019

MOTEL ACCOMMODATION – RESTAURANT MEALS

gardens. Return to Cairns for lunch along the harbour esplanade.

DAY 3: TUESDAY 25TH JUNE PORT DOUGLAS & DAINTREE RIVER CRUISE B. An early rise this morning before heading north to indulge ourselves for the ultimate “Breakfast with the Birds” at the Rainforest Habitat at Port Douglas. In this wildlife park of the future, visitors can wander through three different and unique environments that depict numerous species of the surrounding rainforest, wetlands, and grasslands. Boardwalks overlook lagoons where both Estuarine and Freshwater crocodiles lurk beneath murky waters or bask on the sunlit banks. Leaving this extraordinary habitat we travel the short distance to the international tourist destination of Port PO BOX 83, ARARAT. VIC 3377 Douglas situated in a tropical tree covered mountain setting. Freecall: 1800 981 187 See Little St Mary’s Church by the sea and take a stroll on email: [email protected] four mile beach before continuing north to Mossman. This small picturesque town referred to as the “sugar town of the north” is set amid the scenic splendour of green cane fields, HIGHLIGHTS and rainforest clad mountains. Further on to Daintree where Green Island Port Douglas the Daintree region is a nature-lover’s paradise. It abounds Barrier Reef Daintree River Cruise with tropical birds, butterflies, reptiles and countless species Sugar Museum Hamilton Island of wildlife, not to mention 3000 plant species from 210 Paronella Park Airlie Beach families which are found in the Wet Tropics. This afternoon Gold Coast Surfers Paradise we enjoy our boat cruise on the Daintree River followed by a Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner special afternoon tea at the Daintree Village. Byron Bay Coffs Harbour Big Banana Slim Dusty Centre DAY 4: WEDNESDAY 26TH JUNE Western Plains Zoo Tamworth CAIRNS TO INGHAM B.L.D. This morning we stop at Mourilyan to visit the Sugar DAY 1: SUNDAY 23RD JUNE Museum before arriving at Paronella Park which is a unique HOME TO CAIRNS experience where history and romance are fused together. After your home pick up we travel to Tullamarine for your Paronella Park is a magical, unforgettable place nestled flight to Cairns, known as the capital of the tropical far north. amongst heritage gardens and 13 acres of lush Australian The city’s terraces, foreshore, parks and spectacular gardens rainforest situated on the banks of the crystal clear waters of boast colourful blooms and a myriad of tropical plants and Mena Creek. This afternoon we continue on to Tully one of trees. Cairns commands an enviable position with the Great the wettest areas in Australia, but it is a thriving sugar cane Barrier Reef to the east, mountain rainforests and plains of and banana growing area. On to Ingham for our overnight the Atherton Tableland to the west and exquisite palm stop. fringed beaches to the north and south. Check into our hotel, Accom: Tropixx Motel Ph: 07 4776 0000 home for the next three nights. Accom: Doubletree by Hilton-Cairns Ph: 07 4050 6070 DAY 5: THURSDAY 27TH JUNE INGHAM TO AIRLIE BEACH B.D. DAY 2: MONDAY 24TH JUNE A short distance this morning to Townsville with the idyllic CAIRNS-GREEN ISLAND-BARRIER REEF B.L. paradise of Magnetic Island right on our doorstep. Later this We cruise today to Green Island which is a beautiful 6000 morning we reach the east coast of Australia travelling via year old coral cay located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Ayr within the Burdekin Shire. The Burdekin shire produces Park. The island is the only coral cay on the Great Barrier the most sugarcane per square kilometre in Australia, and Reef with a rainforest growing on it and is home to 126 then on to Bowen which sits on a square peninsula, with native plant species, colourful birdlife, surrounded by ocean to the north, east, and south. Bowen is in the dry magnificent coral gardens. Stroll through magical rainforest, tropics, and so has all the warm sunny weather of a tropical laze on the white coral sands and enjoy a glass bottom boat climate, but it is much dryer than the tropical beaches ride to view an amazing display of tropical fish and coral overlooking the Great Barrier Reef. The town of Airlie Beach the perfect holiday destination awaits us, and being positioned on a picturesque peninsula that reaches out into Australia’s most iconic shopping centres, and with almost the Whitsunday waters. Dinner is at a local restaurant and 300 specialty stores passengers will be spoilt for choice. Breakfast is in the motel restaurant. Save some energy though because tonight is something Accom: Coral Sea Resort Ph: 07 4964 1300 special on this tour, as premium top rail seats and dinner have been booked for the Australian Outback Spectacular DAY 6: FRIDAY 28TH JUNE Dinner Show. Saddle up and join us on a captivating journey AIRLIE BEACH / HAMILTON ISLAND B.L.D. to the snow peaked mountains of the high country where This morning we board the Fantasea Cruises ferry and make enchanted whispers and legendary yarns come alive with the our way to Hamilton Island. Here we will enjoy the morning most inspiring stories of Australian characters. Including the exploring the island on our bus tour, and then with time to Australian stock horse, stunning special effects and a relax in the resort. After lunch, we board the ferry back to delicious three course dinner. Airlie Beach where the rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy this magnificent holiday location. Dinner is at a local DAY 11: WEDNESDAY 3RD JULY restaurant and Breakfast is in the motel restaurant. GOLD COAST TO COFFS HARBOUR B.D. Leaving the Gold Coast this morning we travel via DAY 7: SATURDAY 29TH JUNE Coolangatta and Tweed Heads where we cross the border in AIRLIE BEACH TO GLADSTONE B.D. to New South Wales, stopping at Byron Bay for lunch. Travelling south today to Mackay and on to Sarina to visit Byron Bay is the eastern most point of Australia’s mainland the Sarina Sugar Shed, for an educational tour of this award on the New South Wales north coast. It is famous for its winning tourist facility. See first hand how sugar is grown, alternative lifestyles and attracts people from all walks of processed, milled and distilled in the unique miniature mill. life. Cape Byron is a 107 metre high rocky promontory at Further on to Rockhampton known as the Beef Capital of Australia’s most eastern point. It protects Byron Bay and we Australia and the gateway between the coast and the outback. visit the Cape Byron lighthouse. Its light beams more than 40 Next we arrive in the Gladstone Region which is a unique km out to sea to warn sailors to beware of the treacherous area and the city of Gladstone which is our overnight stop is coastline. Byron Bay has a subtropical climate all year with developed on hills overlooking the focal point of its the cooling coastal winds providing relief in summer. Further economic development - the natural deepwater harbour. on to Ballina, Grafton and our overnight stop at Coffs Dinner and breakfast is in the motel restaurant. Harbour. This afternoon we visit the Big Banana where we Accom: Oaks Grand Gladstone Ph: 07 4972 2422 see the Bananas Theatre, take the Plantation Tour and see the Packing Shed. Dinner and Breakfast is in the motel DAY 8: SUNDAY 30TH JUNE restaurant. GLADSTONE TO CALOUNDRA B.D. Accom: Opal Cove Resort Ph: 02 6651 0510 This morning we travel through Childers the Qld town where the deliberately lit Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel fire DAY 12: THURSDAY 4TH JULY happened on 23 June 2000. Later we pass through Gympie, COFFS HARBOUR TO TAMWORTH B.D. the site of the annual Country Music Muster and the Gold This morning we farewell Coffs Harbour and travel to Rush Festival before continuing on to Nambour, where we Kempsey. Here we visit the brand new Slim Dusty Centre. find the well known Big Pineapple. There will be time to The museum features memorabilia from the Kirkpatricks climb the Big Pineapple and explore the process of Pineapple own extensive collection. Enjoy the costumes, the images of farming from start to factory. We will experience the Australian life and its people and the insights into Australia’s plantation aboard the unique Plantation Train as it tours past vast history and geography that only Slim & Joy’s sixty years exotic fruit trees and sub-tropical rainforest. This afternoon on the road can provide. Leaving Kempsey we make our way we arrive at Caloundra for our one night stay in this holiday to Tamworth nationally famous as the "Country Music city. Dinner and Breakfast is in the motel restaurant. Capital of Australia". The city is recognized as the "National Accom: Oaks Oasis Resort Ph: 07 5491 0333 Equine Capital of Australia because of the high volume of horse events held in the city and the construction of the world class Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre. This DAY 9: MONDAY 1ST JULY afternoon we explore the city visiting The Big Golden Guitar CALOUNDRA TO GOLD COAST B.D. – Gallery of Stars Wax Museum, Hands of Fame Park and Our tour today is a shorter trip and takes us through the Peel St before returning to the motel with time to freshen up outskirts of Brisbane on our way to the Gold Coast. The before dinner. Gold Coast is known as a major tourist destination with its Accom: Best Western Sanctuary Inn. Ph: 02 6766 2903 sunny subtropical climate, surfing beaches, canal and waterway systems, its high-rise dominated skyline, nightlife DAY 13: FRIDAY 5TH JULY and rainforest hinterland. Our accommodation is in the heart TAMWORTH TO DUBBO B.D. of Surfers Paradise and the afternoon is yours to stroll the Travel this morning to Gunnedah where the major industry is beach or perhaps visit the many tourist shops in Cavill agriculture, with 80% of the shire area devoted to farming. Avenue. Breakfast is in the motel restaurant. The Gunnedah area is noted for its abundance of native Accom: Vibe Hotel Ph: 07 5539 0444 wildlife, including kangaroos, echidnas and koalas. We continue through Coonabarabran known as the ‘Astronomy DAY 10: TUESDAY 2ND JULY Capital of Australia’ and one of the best towns in NSW to GOLD COAST - OUTBACK SPECTACULAR B.D. experience nature. Travelling further south to Gilgandra Today is a free day and one to enjoy the Gold Coast area and known as the town of Windmills and Home of the Coo-ees. there is plenty to see and do. Sea World is a magic marine The Gilgandra District is predominantly an agricultural area experience with dolphins, sharks, sting rays, penguins and with sheep, beef cattle and winter cereal cropping being the polar bears and full of educational exhibits. (Passengers own main enterprises. Later this afternoon we arrive in Dubbo for expense). Perhaps a visit to Pacific Fair which is one of our two night stop. Accom: Quality Inn. Dubbo. Ph: 02 6882 4777 DAY 14: SATURDAY 6TH JULY PRICE: $7550.00 per person twin share DUBBO SIGHTSEEING B.D. SINGLE SUP: $1780.00 We discover why Dubbo is one of the most popular holiday Price includes GST destinations in inland NSW as the city has an intriguing past and is steeped in history. It was proclaimed a village in 1849 PRICE INCLUDES: and a town by 1872, Dubbo officially became a City in 1966. Luxury Coach Travel Dubbo’s past, present and future is a matrix of firsts, lasts Brendan’s Australian Tours Travel Bag & Wallet and one-offs. Today we visit the Taronga Western Plains Zoo with over 3sq km of wild and wonderful bushland and Motel Accommodation - Twin Share with a collection of animals from right around the world. All All Admissions & Cruises as specified this is right on the edge of Dubbo. Surrounded by magnificent wildlife on wide open areas it is easy to see why Airfare Melbourne to Cairns the Dubbo Taronga Western Plains Zoo won the 2011 Trip All Meals as specified: Advisor Certificate of Excellence Award for consistently receiving excellent ratings from visitors. This afternoon we B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner visit the historic Dundillimal Homestead Dundillimal is Pick up & return to your home. Australia’s oldest timber slab homestead and Dubbo’s oldest building open to the public. Built in the early 1840s Dundillimal is a finely crafted, rustic home with its interior  Travel Insurance is highly recommended and is the remarkably sophisticated for its time. Leaving Dundillimal we return to the city centre where there will be an responsibility of each passenger. opportunity to explore the retail and business centre of Dubbo before returning in time for dinner at the motel.

DAY 15: SUNDAY 7TH JULY DUBBO TO DENILIQUIN B.D. This morning we travel to Parkes where we visit the site of the Parkes Observatory. When Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon in 1969, it was the Parkes Observatory's giant radio telescope that broadcast the event around the world. From Parkes we pass through Forbes on the banks of the Lachlan River and on to West Wyalong the prosperous large scale farming district which is the largest cereal-growing centre in NSW. Continue on to Narrandera which is at the junction of the Sturt and Newell highways and perched beside the Murrumbidgee River. Arriving in Deniliquin which is a major service centre for the surrounding agricultural region that includes both dry land and irrigated areas, beef cattle and wool growing. We check into our motel before dinner which will be at the Deniliquin RSL Club. Accom: Deniliquin Country Club: Ph: 03 5881 5299

DAY 16: MONDAY 8TH JULY DENILIQUIN TO HOME B. Today the last day of our tour we continue on to Echuca, one of Victoria’s oldest river towns and formerly Victoria’s third largest port in the days of the Paddlesteamers. Located at the junction of the Murray, Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers, Echuca has now capitalised on its riverboat history with an enthralling restoration of the old Port area. Continue further south to Bendigo and home after a memorable sixteen days sightseeing.

Accommodation for the above tour is motel, hotel or villas on a twin share basis.

PLEASE NOTE: Lunches and Dinners have not been included while in Cairns as there are approximately one hundred restaurants nearby and this allows you the flexibility of using your free time in Cairns to try different eating places without being restricted to tour times. Breakfast in Cairns is supplied by the motel.